Our Guide To The 1998 Ballot Measures
CHAINSAWS, BONGS & ONE-EYED JACKS

Measure 57
Recriminalizes Possession Of Small Amounts Of Marijuana
Perceived Problem
The demon weed

How It Would Work

This measure’s history is as long as a Rastafarian’s dreadlocks and just as twisted. Twenty-five years ago, Oregon was the second state in the nation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot. Last session, the Legislature suddenly started worrying about it. Lawmakers passed a bill to recriminalize possession of less than an ounce, which the governor "reluctantly" signed. Then some motivated marijuana advocates (how’s that for an oxymoron?) gathered enough signatures to force the Legislature to halt enactment of the law and refer it to the ballot for voters to decide.

Hence we are forced to wade into a silly debate that was resolved a quarter of a century ago. Under current law—and if the measure fails—an adult caught with less than an ounce of marijuana is simply given a citation and ordered to pay a fine between $500 and $1,000.

If Measure 57 passes, pot-carrying adults could be charged with a crime (a misdemeanor) and fined. They could also be incarcerated, but that’s highly unlikely. Authorities say they’ll continue to treat most marijuana possession cases as infractions. Many other pot offenders will probably be sentenced to probation. Juvenile offenders will be forced into diversion programs and lose their driver’s licenses.

Ultimate Conclusion

Interestingly, even the proponents have backed away from this one. They’ve raised exactly $309. Chief Moose, meanwhile, is nowhere to be seen on this issue.

You Oughta Know

This one is kind of confusing, so put down that bong and listen very closely: A vote in the no column is a vote for peace, love and understanding. Vote yes and you’re just saying no to drugs. Got it?

Measure 67
Exempts People With Debilitating Conditions From State Laws That Prohibit Growing And Using Marijuana

Perceived Problem
Too hard to score if you’re sore
How It Would Work

Despite what opponents may claim, if this measure passes, your doctor won’t have free reign to say "take two hits and call me in the morning," every time you get a case of the sniffles. The measure is limited to specific conditions such as cancer, glaucoma and HIV, as well as things like cachexia (malnutrition or "wasting," frequently associated with AIDS), severe pain and nausea, seizures and muscle spasms.

People with these ailments or symptoms would need a doctor to confirm that medical marijuana may help. Patients would then register with the State Health Division for a medical-marijuana card. With the card they would, in essence, have permission from the state to maintain seven marijuana plants (three mature, four immature) and carry up to one ounce on their person. For those who can’t grow their own, a "primary caregiver" can be chosen to be the green thumb.

Ultimate Conclusion

Opponents raise three serious concerns.

First, Measure 67 would send the wrong message to children. If Johnny sees grandpa light up after chemotherapy, the little tyke may think there’s nothing wrong with taking a toke himself.

Second, there is debate over the actual medicinal value. There need to be more studies of marijuana, Measure 67 foes say. If the feds consequently approve the drug, reefer should be reclassified and available through doctors, who can control and monitor usage with clearly understood guidelines. The current measure allows people to self-medicate as if pot were echinacea.

Finally, law-enforcement officials say Measure 67 would disrupt their lives. For starters, they’re not too keen on the requirement that if police officers seize plants from someone who uses the medical-marijuana defense, they have to keep the cannabis alive.

But their biggest gripe is that the measure provides an out for people who don’t get a card: Anyone who gets busted can attempt to use medical marijuana as a defense in court—even for conditions not listed in the law. Cops and prosecutors fear that defense attorneys and sympathetic doctors will tie the courts up with medical-marijuana claims, some of them bogus. If the measure is truly about medicine, they ask, why leave that loophole?

But all those arguments fall flat for people who are sick and dying.

For them, Marinol, the synthetic THC, does not work.
See
Perhaps The Single Most Damning Article On Medical Marijuana Fiasco I Have Ever Read – Without Intending To Be

It’s true that some able-bodied stoners will try to use medical marijuana as a defense when they get busted. And the courts will have to deal with that. If it becomes a serious enough problem, the Legislature can fix it.

As for further study, whether you blame it on the drug war, the pharmaceutical companies, the politicians or the American Medical Association, there hasn’t been enough pressure on the feds to get them to take action on medical marijuana. If this measure, and similar measures elsewhere, pushes them in that direction, all the better. Until then, sick people should not have to buy their medicine on the street.

You Oughta Know

So far, all the money in support of this measure ($153,897) has come from Americans for Medical Rights. AMR originally formed in California for Proposition 215, which legalized medical marijuana there, and is now funding six other medical-marijuana measures—in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Nevada, Colorado and the District of Columbia. AMR advocates legalizing marijuana for everyone, not just sick people.

(Ed. note: Actually not. AMR is only about the medical use.)